Rocking device



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ROCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, 1954 4 Sheets--Sheei l ffy@ "numb i z n 73, MbAsumNu a www l usaran 00m Feb. 25, 3.936. E C- CLAUS I 2,032,949

BOOKING DEVICE Filed Aug. e, 1954 4 Sheng-shew- 5 Patented 52210.25. 1936 ilhii'iED STATES idiiilt ifiUUil PATENT OFFICE ROCKING DEVICE Ernst C. Claus, Chicago, -Il1.

Application August 6, 1934, Serial No. 788,615

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a rocking device for automobiles, Vehicles and the like which may be mounted to span a pit or any suitable commercial hoisting device.

It is an object of the invention to support the weight of the chassis of a vehicle and alternately lift or rock either side for releasing the weight off the springs and to separate the spring leaves to enable the operator to inject oil or grease between said spring leaves and furthermore to locate loose connections or squeaks.

Another object of my invention is to provide in combination with the motors for obtaining a rocking or swaying motion, improved rotary valve means forl alternately supplying fluid under pressure to said motors for raising associated pisto-ns.

A further object of the invention is the eiective quick acting valve mechanism for rotating the valve member proper for alternately directing fluid under pressure to the desired channels. It is also an object to equalize the pressure at either side of the rotary valve member to minimize the energy required for operation.

A still further object aims at providing safety releasing means to sever the driving connection between the valve operating shaft and the valve mechanism to prevent breakage.

Another object is the provision of means for adjusting the length of stroke of the pistons and thus changing the frequencies between successive strokes.

It is also an object to provide certain features of construction and arrangement tending to enhance the usefulness and eiciency of a machine of this character.

With these and other equally important objects in view which will become apparent from a perusal of the invention, the latter comprises the means described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part thereof, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevation of my invention as applied to an automobile. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 7 Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. '7. Fig. 6 is a front view of the valve disk. Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial vertical section. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 with the parts in different positions. Fig. 10 is a detail View of the valve operating member. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the member shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged section on the line I2 l2 of Fig. '7. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. l2. Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line i4 l4 of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a'fragmentary section on the line I5 l5 of Fig. 12. Fig.

16 is a detail View. Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 16.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings I have illustrated my n device as being suspended and supported in a pit, the pit being shown at 20, having supporting channels 2 l. Suspended upon hook members 22 and secured thereon by bolts 23 are the motor housings 28 and 29 to which are secured by means lo of the screws 38 a plurality of supporting bars 24 and 25, respectively. The bars may be adjusted in relation to each other by means of the clamping sleeves 26 with their associated set screws 21 to accommodate different widths of 15 pits, hoists and the like. In the motor housings 28, 29 reciprocate pistons 3 l each having a leather cap 32 secured thereon by means of holding plates 33 and screws 34. The plate 33 is formed with a boss to engage a resilient washer 33a at its 20 lowermost position. The piston 3| is herein shown as being integral with a piston sleeve 35 which projects through the housing cover 36. Mounted upon the sleeve 35 is a supporting member 31 having a pin 38. Supported upon the 25 members 31 is a bar 39 provided with a plurality of apertures to engage the pins 38. Supported upon the bar 39 are the jacks 4|, provided with pins 42 also to be engaged by any one of the apertures 40. The jacks are provided with 30 the screw threaded rotatable rods 43 upon which are screw threaded the supporting members 44 adapted to engage the channel members 45 of the chassis of a vehicle as illustrated in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Each supporting mem- 35 ber 31 is secured on a sliding bar 46 which may be secured by means of the lock-nut 41 upon the screw threaded end 48 of said bar. The housings 28 and 29 are grooved to receive the bars 46 which also carry angle members 49, the use of 40 which will be later described.

Communicating with the lower part of the piston chamber 50 of the housing 29 is a flexible duct or pipe 5l. Likewise the piston chamber in the housing 28 is connected to a flexible hose 45 connection 52. Mounted upon the bars 25 adjacent the housing 29 is a valve housing generally indicated by 54. It may be secured thereon by means of the screws 55. The housing 54 is herein illustrated as being formed of two parts 50 59 and 51 (Figs. 2, 7). Supported in the housing is a shaft 58 and as illustrated in Fig. 2 it enters an extension sleeve 59 at one end. The shaft 58 is provided with a key-way 60 to receive locking members 8l in a clamp 82 which 5 5 may be secured upon the sleeve 59. A lock screw 63 is adapted to clamp the shafts 58 and 59 together. The right end of the sleeve 59 as illustrated in Fig. 2 is supported in the housing 28. .Referring to Figs. '7, 8 and 9 a segment gear 65 a0 is mounted upon the shaft 58 within the housing 54. It may be secured by means of a pin 66. The gear segment 65 is in mesh with a pinion 61 supported upon a rocking member 68. The member 68 is positioned upon the shaft 58 and free to rotate thereon. It is provided with an extension finger 69 adapted to be engaged by the free ends 16 and 1| of a coiled spring 12. The spring is positioned about the hub of the segment gear 65. The member 68 is further provided with cam portions 13 and 14. A further segment gear 15 is threaded upon the shaft 53 and in mesh with the pinion 61 as illustrated in Fig. 7. The segment gear is provided with a hub 16 projecting through the bearing sleeve 11 of the housing portion 56. Mounted upon the hub 16 by means of a set screw 18 is a member 19 having an arm 80 adapted to support a roller 8| which is opposite to the angle member 49 of the lifting bar 46. Mounted upon the` shaft 58 and free to rotate thereon is a member 82 illustrated in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. It is provided with a finger or lug 83 which is in engagement as illustrated in Figs. '1 to 9 with the free ends 18-1I of the coiled spring 12. The member 82 further carries projections 84 and 85 adapted to be engaged by dogs 86, 81 respectively, which are pivoted upon bolts 88 which also serve to secure the housing members 56 and 51 together. Spring members 89 normally hold the dogs in engagement with the lugs 84 and 85. The member 82 is further provided with a valve engaging pin 90.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 7 the housing 51 is slotted as at 9| through which extends a pin to engage a corresponding recess 93 in a Valve disk 92. The housing 51 is provided with apertures 94 and 95. The aperture 94 communicates by means of a duct 96 with the pipe 5| communicating with the piston chamber 50. The ap- --erture communicates by means of a duct 91 and 3.

Bolted to the housing 51 is a valve cap 06 having' a cavity in which rotates the valve member 92 as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '1. The valve cap |66 is formed with a segmental groove |91 which communicates by means of a duct |18 with an inlet pipe |89 controlled by means of a valve H0. As will be seen from Fig. 5 the groove |01 is in alignment with one of the apertures 93 and |09.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '1 the valve member 92 has a cored out duct ||2 which communicates with a plurality of slots or apertures H3, H4, ||5 and i6 respectively. The member 92 is further provided with apertures ||1 connected by a cored out portion ||8 and has also apertures H9 connected by a cored out portion |29. As will be seen from Figs. 6 and '1, the valve disk 92 is rotatably mounted upon the hub or sleeve 2| integral with the cap |96. The valve 92 is herein shown as being thrust against the face of the housing 51 by means of springs |22 bearing on a washer |23. The cap |96 is tted with a plug for oiling the enclosed members. Referring to Figs. '7. 12. 13. 14. and 15. I have illustrated safety release means. The member 19 has a plurality of teeth |25 adapted to be engaged by a tooth |26 Fig. 13 formed on a release member |21, which is secured upon a bolt |28. Referring to Fig. 14 the release member |21 is screw threaded upon the bolt |28 and locked thereon by means of a nut |29. The bolt is supported in a member |30 which in turn is secured by means of a set screw |3| upon the end of the outward projecting shaft 58 as will be seen from Fig. 12. The bolt and release member |21 are normally thrust towards the right referring to Fig. 14 by means of a spring |32, one end of which bears against the end of a recess |33 of the member |36, the opposite end engaging the head of the bolt |28. Secured to the end of the bolt is a handle |34 to facilitate disengagement of the toothed end |26 of the member |21 with the teeth |25 of the member 19 as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig.

14. The release member |21 is also provided with an inclined surface |36 which enters an opposed slot |31 in a lever |38 pivoted as at |39. As illustrated in Figures 13 and 15 the lever |38 is normally thrust to the left as shown in Fig. 1 3 by means of a tension spring |49 engaging a screw |4| in the lever |38. The spring is positioned in a cavity in the member |36 and is anchored to a pin |42. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 mounted upon the sleeve or extension shaft 59 adjacent to housing 28 is a lever |43 provided with a roller |44 in alignment with the angle member 49 upon the lifting bar 46. Said bar is shown as raised by the piston sleeve 35 and associated piston in the motor housing 28. The device operates as follows:

My invention is adapted to be used in connection with a pit or hoisting device for greasing and oiling the springs of vehicles and to locate loose connections and body squeaks. It enables the operators to efficiently grease the spring A tons 35 in the motor housings 28, 29 are raised alternately by means of air or liquid under pressure, thus raising the jacks, adjustably supported upon the cross bar 39 to compensate for different widths of chassis. The vehicle is preferably positioned upon the tracks 2| as illustrated in Fig. 1 so that the bracket members 44 underly the vehicle frame channels 45 intermediate the wheels.

Assuming that the pistons initially are in the down positions, the operator rotates the jack screws 43 by means of associated handles and raises the chassis sufficient to lift the bodily weight of the vehicle from the vehicle springs. The rocking motion, or alternately raising the jacks may now be started by opening the exhaust valve |95, likewise the intake valve ||il may be adjusted to control the flow of the fluid. Note that the weight of the vehicle lowers the piston when the pipe lines 5|, 52 register with the exhaust ducts below described. The valve mechanism for delivering the fluid includes the telescoping shaft 58, 59 which is rocked by means of the lever |43 and member 19, both of which carry a roller |44 adapted to be engaged by the angular member 49 of the lifting bars 46, this vertical sliding motion being imparted by means of wir/istmo t Tesine.

their associated pistons 3|V and piston sleeves 35.

The rollers 8| and |44 with their respective levers are positioned upon the telescoping shaft to extend in opposite directions relative to the vertical plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of said shaft. The levers |43 and 80 are mounted at either end of the telescoping shaft 58 and 59 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The position of the rollers are such, that, if the roller |44 associated with the lever |43 is lifted by means of the angular member on the sliding bar 40 of the fluid motor 28 to its uppermost position, the roller on the arm 80, integral with the rocking member 19 is in its lowermost position.

It is important to vary the length of stroke of the pistons 3 I, which actuate the lifting jacks upon the horizontal crossbar 39, adapted to raise and lower either side of the chassis of vehicles alternately, since large vehicles require to be lifted higher than those of smaller vehicles to separate the individual leaves of their springs so as to permit injection of lubrication therebetween. Means for selectively changing the length of stroke, accomplished by Varying the angle of separation of the levers |43 and 19, as illustrated in Fig. '1 and Figs. 12 to 15. In order to impart to the levers |43 and 80 a like degree of rotation either to increase or reduce the angle between them, a differential gear mechanism may be employed, which however, after desired adjustments of the actuating rock levers have been made, are held in locked relation to each other for rocking the telescoping shaft by means described below.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the segment gear 65 in the valve housing 54 is fast on the rock shaft 58, which by means of the pinion 61, carried by the member 68, imparts rotation to the segment gear and thus to the rocking member 19. The rocking member is secured by means of the set screw 18 upon the hub portion, exterior of the housing 54, of the segment gear 15.

Secured to one end of the shaft, adjacent the rocking member 19 is the lever |30, which, by means of the release member |21, its tooth |28 engaging corresponding teeth upon the rocking member 19, is held against rotation in relation to said rocking member. It will be realized if the members above described are in the full line position in which they are shown in Figs. 1, 13 and 14, that all are held in fixed relation to each other and rotate in unison with the shaft. However, if it is desired to change the stroke of the pistons 3| in the motor housings 28 and 29, the release member |21 may be pulled out of engagement with the rocking member 19 by its associated handle, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 14 and thus becomes free for adjustment. The telescoping shaft 58, 59 which carries the lever |43 may now be rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise by the lever |30 to the desired position, and the tooth |26 of the release member |21 may again be engaged and locked between adjacent teeth |25 of the rocking member 19. Assuming that the valve actuating member B8, which carries the pinion, is held in a fixed position, as will be later described, and the release member |21 out of engagement with the rocking segment 19, rotation of the segment gear 65, fast upon the telescop'ng shaft, in one direction imparts by means of the intervening pinion 61 a rotation in opposite direction to the segment gear 15 and its associated rocking lever 19.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 15, the release member |21 upon the pin` |28 is normally held against rotation by engagement with the slot |31 in the seam nog arm |38. However, should one of the pistons 3| fail to descend and consequently hold either the' rocking member 19 lor the lever |43 in raised position, the driving connection between the rocking member 19 and the shaft 58, 59 may be severed by rotation of the release member |21 in counter-clockwise direction, referring to the parts as shown in Fig. 13. After a predetermined twisting strain the inclined face |30 of said release member |21 tends -to rotate the lock arm |38 into the dotted line position and thus break the driving connection between the various parts.

Referring to the valve mechanism illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 and assuming that the pistons of the motor 28, 29 are in the starting position that is to say both in their lowest positions and the valve member 92 aligned with its respective ports as shown in Fig. 5, fluid under pressure passes through the supply pipe |09, by opening the valve I0, and enters the arcuate slot |01, thence flo-ws through the duct 99 by means of the holes 98 in the housing 51 and enters the cavity IIB in the valve disc 92 by means of one of the apertures ||1. The other aperture ||1 being in registry with the slot 95 communicating with the duct 91 in the housing 51, delivers the ud to the flexible tubing 52 and thence to the piston chamber of the motor housing 20. Note that one of the apertures ||9 in the valve disc 92 is opposed to the face of the valve housing and the flow of fluid, which may enter into the cavity |20 through the apertures |00 and channel |0| from the arcuate slot |01, is thus checked.

The pipe line 5| connected with the piston chamber of the motor housing Z9 may exhaust its fluid, assuming that the piston in said housing is in the raised position, through the duct 96 and aperture 94 into the passage ||2 of the valve disc through the aperture H6. The hole ||4 in alignment with the aperture |02 in the valve housing 51 permits the fluid to escape through the duct |03, pipe line |04 and exhaust valve |05. The apertures i3 and l I5 of the valve disc are opposed to the face of the housing 51 and thus rendered inoperative.

Figs. '1 to 11 illustrate the mechanism for imparting rotary motion to the valve disc 92 for reversing the cycle of delivery of fluid. Fig. 8 shows the parts in position at commencement. the valve operating member 82 being held locked by the dog 86 engaging the lug 05, and the linger piece 83 constraining the free end 1| of the spring 12. member 08 (see Figs. 16 and 1'1) rotate in the direction .of the arrow in Fig. 9. The lug 69 integral with the trip member 68 and actuated by means of the shaft 58 rotates the free end 10 of the spring, compressing it, until the cam portion 14 of the trip member 68 moves the dog 86 out of engagement with the lug 85 as illustarted in Fig. 9 and permits the spring to rotate member 82, and by means of the pin 90 projecting through the slot 9| rotates the valve disc 92, which rota-V tion is limited by said slot 9|. The member 82 assumes the dotted position illustrated in Fig. 9 permitting the dog 81 to engage and hold the lug 84 since the cam member 13 cleared the path of movement of the dog 81.

The valve disc is now in position to exhaust the fluid in the motor housing 28 and to deliver fluid to the piston chamber 50 of the motor housing 29. The intake channel |01 by means of the holes |00 and duct |0| registering with one of the holes ||9 of the cored out duct |20 of the valve disc, delivers fluid through the other hole Meanwhile the shaft 58 and trip ||9, which now is in alignment with the slot 94 into the passage 96 and by means of the hose connection 5| into the motor housing 28. Likewise the slot |3 of the valve disc is now in registry with the aperture 95, communicating with the pipe line 52 which extends to the motor housing 29 and the slot ||5 in alignment with the hole I 02 exhaust the fluid through the exhaust pipe |04 governed by the valve |05. It will be realized that if the valve disc is in position above referred to, the fluid entering the intake channel 99 through one of the apertures S8 is rendered inoperative since one of the apertures ||1 in the valve disc 92 is opposed to the face of the housing 51, with the other one in registry with one of the apertures 98 in said housing 51. In like manner, the slots ||4 and ||6 are now inoperative by being in opposition with the face of the housing 51.

Note that the valve cap |06 is provided With a gasket to insure a tight connection with the valve housing 51. When the fluid, such as compressed airis turned on, it will leak by the spring thrust valve disc 92 into the chamber housing the springs and equalize the pressure at both sides of the valve disc, thus facilitating ease of ro-tation for said disc, since only the friction of the thrust springs |22 are in effect.

While the drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changes and alterations may be made without departing from the purview of the invention. I, therefore, do not limit myself to details of construction and arrangement as shown, but claim my invention as broadly as the state of the art permits.

I claim:

l. In a machine as described, the combination with a lifting member, motors for alternately lifting and lowering opposite ends of said member, a shaft, levers mounted at either end of said shaft, for rotating the same when being rocked, sliding members on said motors for rocking said levers, a source of fluid under pressure, means adapted to provide communication between said uid source and said motors, and valve mechanism actuated by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication.

2. In a machine as described, the combination with a lifting member, motors fo-r alternately lifting and lowering opposite ends of said member, a valve shaft, means comprising sliding members on said motors for oscillating said valve shaft, a source of fluid under pressure, means adapted to provide communication between said fluid source and said motors, a valve mechanism actuated by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication, and control means on said shaft, cooperating with said sliding members for changing the frequencies of oscillations of said shaft.

3. In a machine as described, the combination with a lifting member, motors for operating said lifting member, a shaft, a pair of levers mounted on said shaft, one of said levers being adjust,- able about the axis of said shaft, sliding members operated by said motors for alternately lifting said levers for rocking said shaft, a source of fluid under pressure, means adapted to provide communication between said fluid source and said motors, and a valve mechanism, operable by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication whereby said motors are alternately actuated for raising and lowering opposite ends of said lifting member.

4. In a machine as described, the combination with a lifting member, motors for operating said lifting member, a shaft, a pair of levers mounted at either end of said shaft to extend in opposite direction in relation to the vertical plane of said shaft, said levers being operatively connected to said shaft to actuate the same, means cooperating with one of said levers for selectively increasing or decreasing the angle of setting of said lever, means comprising sliding members operated by said motors for alternately lifting said levers for rocking said shaft, a source of fluid under pressure, means adapted to provide communication between said fluid source and said motors, a valve mechanism, operable by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication whereby said motors are alternately actuated for raising and lowering opposite ends of said lifting member alternately.

5. In a machine as described, the combination -f with a lifting member, motors for operating said lifting member, a shaft, a lever xed to one end of said shaft, an adjustable lever mounted on the opposite end of said shaft, locking means adapted to provide a driving connection between said adjustable lever and said shaft, sliding members operated by said motors for alternately actuuating said levers for rocking said shaft, a source of iiuid under pressure, means adapted to provide communication between said fluid source and said motors, a valve mechanism, operable by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication whereby said motors are alternately actuated for raising and lowering opposite ends of said lifting member alternately.

6. In a machine as described, the combination with a lifting member, motors for operating said lifting member, a shaft, a lever fixed(` to one end of said shaft, an adjustable lever mounted on the opposite end of said shaft, locking means adapted to provide a driving connection between said adjustable lever and said shaft, yielding means cooperating with said locking means for automatically severing said driving connection upon failure of said motors to operate, sliding members operated by said motors for alternately actuating said levers for rocking said shaft, a source of fluid under pressure, means adapted to provide communicatio-n between said fluid source and said motors, a valve mechanism, operable by said shaft for alternately opening and closing said communication whereby said motors are alternately actuated for raising and lowering opposite ends of said lifting member alternately.

7. A device for rocking vehicles comprising an adjustable support, a pair of fluid pressure motors on said support, a lifting member operated by said motors, a valve housing mounted on said support intermediate said motors, a shaft supported in said valve housing, levers on said shaft, sliding members operated by said motors for alternately actuating said levers, a source of f 

